Lifeline and Link Up Programs for the 21st Century

[Commentary] After years of consideration, the Federal Communications Commission is going to update its Lifeline and Link Up programs for the 21st century. Chairman Julius Genachowski, in a speech January 9, announced his plan to significantly reform the program to include broadband-focused elements and to streamline the legacy voice service program to ensure that it performs efficiently. We at the Benton Foundation are extremely pleased that the Chairman has followed through with a solid Lifeline and Link Up proposal after years of work from the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, FCC staff, the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee, and public interest commentors.